WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 Kyodo The Uni...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 Kyodo

The United States forward Thursday condemned the murder of Cambodian labor activist Chea Vichea, 40 in Phnom Penh calling for a thorough investigation of the case.

''We deplore this cowardly act of violence, and we call relating to the Cambodian government to undertake immediate and effective action to bring the perpetrators of Chea Vichea's assassinate to justice,'' State Department factor Spokesman Adam Ereli.

''It's important that a refinement of impunity in Cambodia not be allowed to exist,'' he said.

Chea Vichea, president of the emancipated Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia and opposition party activist, was gunn down through two men on motorcycles as he was reading a newspaper at downtown kiosk upon Thursday morning.

He was a well-known advocate for better working conditions and higher pay for Cambodian workers. His party has called his death ''a real big loss for Cambodia's social justice and democracy.''

Although Ereli declined to commentary on the possible motives of the slay he said, ''Obviously, it is disturbing when one of his stature and social prominence and social importance is likewise brutally and deliberately gunn down.''

Chea Vichea's Sam Rainsy Party said four other party activists have been killed in a similar fashion since Jan. 10

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